Staff Welding Engineer

Anduril Industries; Santa Ana (CA); On-site; USD 166,000 - 251,000; Full time

Job summary

Anduril Industries, a defense technology leader, is hiring a Welding Engineer for its Maritime team to develop and qualify welding procedures and oversee strict compliance with AWS, ASME, and NAVSEA standards. You’ll lead root-cause analyses, guide tool fabrication, and ensure robust weld quality across diverse metals on a dynamic shop floor.

The role emphasizes hands-on leadership, documentation, and continuous improvement, aligning with defense manufacturing excellence and security clearances.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Welding Engineering or related field, or equivalent with 7+ years of welding experience.
• 10+ years of welding engineering experience in a manufacturing environment.
• 10+ years developing and qualifying WPS, PQR, WPQ documentation.
• Strong knowledge of FCAW, GMAW, GTAW, and SAW processes.
• Proficiency with welding codes and standards (AWS D1.1 / D1.2 / D1.6, ASME Section IX).
• Experience reading engineering drawings, specifications, schematics, and diagrams.
• Knowledge of NDT methods (UT, RT, MT, PT, VT) and weld inspection criteria.
• Ability to lift up to 35 pounds and maintain safety; eligibility for U.S. Secret security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Develop, qualify, and maintain Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS), PQR, and WPQ supporting Maritime production.
• Ensure welding operations meet codes and standards (AWS, ASME, MIL-STD, NAVSEA) and maintain documentation.
• Lead root-cause analysis on weld defects and failures across FCAW, GMAW, GTAW, SAW; implement corrective actions.
• Specify base metals, filler materials, and welding techniques for aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, and carbon steel.
• Direct and interpret NDT and destructive testing to validate weld quality.
• Optimize welding parameters and fixturing; provide on-the-floor guidance to welders.
• Drive continuous improvement by standardizing welding processes and documenting best practices.

Skills

Root-cause analysis

Problem solving

Safety awareness

Engineering drawing interpretation

NDT knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Welding Engineering or related field

Tools

AWS D1.1/D1.2/D1.6

ASME Section IX

NDT standards

Job description

Anduril Industries is a defense technology company with a mission to transform U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology. By bringing the expertise, technology, and business model of the 21st century’s most innovative companies to the defense industry, Anduril is changing how military systems are designed, built and sold. Anduril’s family of systems is powered by Lattice OS, an AI-powered operating system that turns thousands of data streams into a realtime, 3D command and control center. As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril is committed to bringing cutting-edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the military in months, not years.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Anduril’s Maritime team is building the next generation of autonomous underwater and surface vehicles to give the United States and our allies a decisive advantage at sea. The Equipment team within Maritime designs, fabricates, and qualifies the tooling, fixtures, and structural assemblies that make rapid, high-quality production possible. As a Welding Engineer, you’ll be the technical authority on welding processes that bring cutting‑edge defense hardware to life—working shoulder-to-shoulder with Tooling Fabricators, Tool Makers, manufacturing engineers, and production leadership on the shop floor.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Develop, qualify, and maintain Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS), Procedure Qualification Records (PQR), and Welder Performance Qualifications (WPQ) supporting Maritime production.
• Ensure all welding operations meet applicable codes and standards (AWS, ASME Section IX, MIL-STD, NAVSEA) and maintain associated certification and compliance documentation.
• Lead root-cause analysis on weld defects and failures across FCAW, GMAW, GTAW, and SAW processes, and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Specify appropriate base metals, filler materials, and welding techniques for thin‑wall aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, and carbon steel applications.
• Direct and interpret non‑destructive testing (UT, RT, MT, PT, VT) and destructive testing to validate weld quality and procedure soundness.
• Optimize welding parameters and fixturing to improve quality, throughput, and cost, and provide hands‑on technical guidance to Tooling Fabricators and welders.
• Drive continuous improvement by standardizing welding processes, documenting best practices, and leading initiatives that improve repeatability and efficiency across structural welding operations.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Welding Engineering, Materials/Metallurgical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field—OR an equivalent combination of education and 7+ years of hands‑on welding engineering experience.
• 10+ years of welding engineering experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• 10+ years of experience developing and qualifying WPS, PQR, and WPQ documentation.
• Strong working knowledge of welding processes: FCAW, GMAW, GTAW, and SAW.
• Proficiency with welding codes and standards (e.g., AWS D1.1 / D1.2 / D1.6, ASME Section IX).
• Experience reading and interpreting engineering drawings, specifications, schematics, and diagrams.
• Working knowledge of NDT methods (UT, RT, MT, PT, VT) and weld inspection criteria.
• Strong root‑cause analysis and problem‑solving skills, with strong attention to detail and a commitment to safety.
• Ability to lift, push, and pull up to 35 pounds frequently within an 8‑hour shift.
• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• AWS Certified Welding Engineer (CWEng) or Certified Welding Inspector (CWI).
• Experience qualifying procedures for thin‑wall aluminum, stainless steel, and titanium.
• Familiarity with defense/maritime standards (MIL-STD-1689, NAVSEA S9074-AQ-GIB-010/248).
• Experience in a defense, aerospace, or maritime manufacturing environment.
• Experience with robotic or automated welding systems.
• Lean / Six Sigma certification and experience leading continuous improvement initiatives.

US Salary Range

$166,000—$251,000 USD

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Anduril’s total compensation package. Additionally, Anduril offers top‑tier benefits for full‑time employees, including:

Benefits

At Anduril, we invest in our people. Our comprehensive, competitive benefits package (available at little to no cost to employees) ensures you’re supported in health, recovery, and whatever comes next. For more information, Explore Our Benefits.